Tape roll tab application method and article

Abstract

A method of making a roll of adhesive tape that comprises providing a length of tape having a leading end, a trailing end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side of the tape is at least partially covered with pressure sensitive adhesive and providing a tab having first and second opposite ends having a length between them, a first side, and a second side, wherein at least a portion of the second side of the tab is covered with pressure sensitive adhesive. The method further comprises advancing the length of tape along a tape path, positioning the leading tape end about a central tape roll axis, and circumferentially winding the length of tape about the axis until a penultimate tape layer having a circumference is wound. The adhesive-covered portion of the second side of the tab is applied to the first side of the tape so that the first end of the tab is spaced from the trailing end of the tape length by a predetermined distance that is at least as long as the circumference of the penultimate layer of the tape roll and no longer than a total distance of the circumference of the penultimate layer and the length of the tab. The final layer of the tape length is circumferentially wound around the penultimate tape layer so that the trailing end of the tape overlays the tab between the first and second ends of the tab.

1. A tape roll comprising:
 a central tape roll axis; 
 a length of tape comprising a leading end, a trailing end opposite the leading end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side of the tape is at least partially covered with pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein the tape is circumferentially wound about the axis until a plurality of adjacent tape layers are wound; and 
 a tab having first and second opposite ends, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein at least a portion of the second side of the tab is covered with pressure sensitive adhesive; 
 wherein the adhesive portion of the second side of the tab is adhered to the first side of the tape on a penultimate layer of the roll so that the trailing end of the tape overlays the tab between the first and second ends of the tab; and 
 wherein the second side of the tab comprises a non-adhesive portion having first and second ends, the first end of the non-adhesive portion coinciding with the first end of the tab; and 
 the adhesive portion of the second side of the tab having first and second ends, the first end of the adhesive portion being located adjacent to the second end of the non-adhesive portion, and the second end of the adhesive portion coinciding with the second end of the tab. 
 
     
     
       2. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a deadening layer to provide the non-adhesive portion of the tab. 
     
     
       3. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises at least a portion of the adhesive portion of the second side of the tab folded toward and adhered to the second side of the tab to provide the non-adhesive tab portion. 
     
     
       4. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the tap comprises a web material laminated to at least a portion of the adhesive on the second side of the tab to provide the non-adhesive tab portion. 
     
     
       5. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the trailing end of the tape overlays both the adhesive and non-adhesive portions of the tab. 
     
     
       6. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive portion of the tab is spaced from the trailing end of the tape by a distance that is at least as long as a circumference of the penultimate layer of the roll and is no longer than a total distance of the circumference of the penultimate layer and a length of the tab. 
     
     
       7. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive on the second side of the tab has the same adhesive strength as the adhesive on the second side of the length of tape. 
     
     
       8. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive on the second side of the tab has greater adhesive strength than the adhesive on the second side of the length of tape. 
     
     
       9. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive on the second side of the tab has less adhesive strength than the adhesive on the second side of the length of tape. 
     
     
       10. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive on the second side of the tab is a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
       11. The tape roll of  claim 1 , further comprising a tape core defining the central tape roll axis, wherein the length of tape is circumferentially wound about the core. 
     
     
       12. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the length of tape has a width, the tab has a width, and the width of the length of tape is approximately equal to the width of the tab. 
     
     
       13. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is generally transparent across its length and width. 
     
     
       14. The tape roll of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the tab is opaque or translucent.